Retail sales up

Retail turnover was nearly 3 percent higher in August 2011 than in August 2010. The growth is entirely caused by higher prices. Retail volume shrank marginally relative to one year previously.

Retail turnover is affected by the shopping-day pattern. With a Sunday less and a Wednesday more, the shopping-day pattern was more favourable in August 2011 than in August 2010. The positive effect on turnover is estimated at approximately 2.5 percent.

The sector food, drinks and tobacco generated a turnover growth of 4.5 percent, entirely due to higher supermarket sales. For specialist shops in the food sector, sales were below the level of twelve months previously.

Turnover in the non-food sector was nearly 1 percent up. There were differences within the non-food sector. Textile supermarkets, clothes shops, household appliances shops and most notably chemist’s shops generated more turnover, but DIY shops and consumer electronics shops faced turnover loss. Turnover realised by home furnishing shops was virtually on a par with last year.

Petrol stations achieved almost 6 percent turnover growth relative to August 2010. Apart from traditional shops and petrol stations, mail-order firms and online shops are also included in the retail sector. Mail-order and online sales were 3.5 percent up on one year previously.

The figures in this article have been updated relative to retail figures released on 13 October 2011. The revision is based on more recent and more detailed information.